Enabling Access To Data

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods and apparatus for enabling access to secure data. A first module is arranged to generate a limited use passcode and make the passcode available to a user. A second module and a third module are arranged to communicate whereby to enable detection of the third module being in proximity to the second module. A fourth module is arranged to receive a passcode via user input. The apparatus is arranged to enable access to secure data in dependence on the fourth module receiving a valid passcode generated by the first module and the third module being in proximity to the second module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of International Application No.PCT/GB2014/051905, filed Jun. 20, 2014, which claims the benefit of GBApplication No. GB 1311120.8, filed Jun. 21, 2013. Each of theabove-referenced patent applications is incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

A system for enabling access to data, and in particular a system forenabling access to data stored on, or accessible using, a user device.

Description of the Related Technology

User devices, such as mobile telephones, tablet computers, laptopcomputers and desktop computers are increasingly being used to provideaccess to secure data. Such devices may be provided with a secureelement, for example a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) in a cellulardevice (i.e. telephone or tablet), or a Trusted Platform Module (TPM) ina computing device. The secure element is tamper resistant and may storesecure data (which may itself comprise credentials enabling access tofurther secure data). In such cases, it is important to ensure thataccess to the secure data is adequately controlled to preventunauthorized users attacking the system and gaining access.

Many security features have been proposed in relation to mobile devices.One proposed method is to use a proximity system to control access tothe secure data, such as the system described in granted U.S. Pat. No.8,112,066. Here, a mobile telephone is paired with a Bluetooth™ device.When the mobile telephone and the Bluetooth™ device are in proximity,the secure data is accessible. This thus provides security in arelatively convenient manner to the user.

It would be desirable to increase the security of data on a device,whilst maintaining relative convenience to the user.

SUMMARY

In accordance with at least one embodiment, methods, devices, systemsand software are provided for supporting or implementing functionalityto transmit credentials.

This is achieved by a combination of features recited in eachindependent claim. Accordingly, dependent claims prescribe furtherdetailed implementations of various embodiments.

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is providedapparatus for enabling access to secure data, the apparatus comprising:a first module arranged to generate a limited use passcode and make thepasscode available to a user; a second module and a third modulearranged to communicate whereby to enable detection of the third modulebeing in proximity to the second module; and a fourth module arranged toreceive a passcode via user input; wherein the apparatus is arranged toenable access to secure data in dependence on the fourth modulereceiving a valid passcode generated by the first module and the thirdmodule being in proximity to the second module.

In addition to using a proximity system to prevent access to the securedata in case of theft, a limited use passcode system is also used toenable access to the secure data. Since the limited use passcode isprovided as user input, the receipt by the fourth module of a validlimited use passcode indicates that a local user is present. This inturn indicates that the device is not being controlled by anunauthorized remote user (who would be unable to receive the passcodeand provide it as user input). Consequently, by providing the apparatusas described above, embodiments are able to enable access to secure databased on two security functions, the first determining whether anauthorized user is in proximity, and the second determining that theuser is a local to the apparatus. This increases the security with whichaccess to the data is enabled.

The passcode is limited use in that there is a limit on its validity.For example, the passcode may only be used once (after which becomesinvalid). Alternatively or additionally, the passcode may be valid for alimited duration. One example of a limited use passcode is a “one-timepasscode” or OTP. One advantage of using a generated, limited use,passcode is that the opportunities for replay attacks, where thepasscode is stored and then used by an unauthorized party at a latertime, are reduced. In another words, embodiments according to the abovedescription, provide a passcode which is non-reusable andnon-replicable.

Embodiments according to the above description, also provide advantagesover a system which uses only a limited use passcode (withoutproximity). Such a system (using only a passcode) could not preventunauthorized access to the secure data should the passcode generatordevice be stolen. It will be noted that due to the first module makingthe passcode available to a user so as to be transfer the passcode viauser input, the passcode is prevented from being surreptitiously stolenvia, e.g. the internet.

The apparatus may be arranged to make a seed value concurrentlyavailable to the first and fourth modules by transferring the seed valuebetween the second and third modules. The first module may be arrangedto use the seed value to generate the limited use passcode. The fourthmodule may be arranged to validate a received passcode using the seedvalue.

In systems where a limited use passcode is generated, a seed value maybe used as an input for the passcode generation. This seed valuechanges, thereby ensuring that the passcode changes (and thus haslimited use). For such a system to work, both passcode generator and thepasscode validator (i.e. the first and fourth modules) need a given seedvalue to be concurrently available to them. Typically the seed valuecannot be directly communicated between the first and fourth modules,since this could make the system vulnerable as both modules (being incommunication) may be accessed by a remote user. Consequently, in manysystems the seed value is time based; that is the seed value is, or isderived from, a value of current time.

If the seed value is time based, both the first and fourth modulesrequire access to a trusted source of time. Here, a trusted source oftime is one which can be relied upon to be unaltered. By way of example,time determined by a secure clock, internal or connected to the module,can be trusted, whereas time provided by a user input, or from a clockwhich may be altered, cannot be trusted. Relying on a source of timewhich can be altered may enable replay attacks, where the time availableto one modules is altered. This may make the fourth module accept apasscode generated in the past, or make the first module generate apasscode which will be valid in the future.

In some situations, one or both of the first and fourth modules may nothave access to a trusted source of time. This may be because, due tomanufacturing considerations, the relevant module cannot be providedwith an internal clock. To exemplify this, the relevant module may be apart of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) of a mobile telephone or apart of a smartcard (that is a card with a chip, such as a banking cardor identity card). Such devices typically do not have internal clocks,and therefore may not have access to a trusted source of time.

Advantageously, by providing the modules as described above, theproximity detection modules (the second and third modules) can beprovided with a secondary use—that of enabling that the seed value to bemade concurrently available to both the first and fourth modules using asecure communications protocol. This means that there is no requirementfor both first and fourth modules to have access to a trusted source oftime. In some embodiments, there is no use for a time based seed valueat all as one module may randomly generate a seed value, and the othermay receive the same seed value via the second and third modules asdescribed above. By removing the need for a clock, the apparatus maytherefore be simplified.

The first module and the third module may comprise synchronized clocks.The seed value may be determined by the first and third modules using anindication of time from respective clocks. Alternatively, the first andthird modules may be communicatively connected, and may be arrangedcooperate whereby to generate and have the seed value concurrentlyavailable. The second and fourth modules may also be communicativelyconnected, and the second module may be arranged to provide the seedvalue received from the third module to the fourth module.

In the above, the first and third modules have access to the same seedvalue, either by being communicatively connected or having access tosynchronized clocks. In the latter case, the first and third modules maybe physically separated. The third module provides the seed value to thesecond module, which in turn makes the seed value available to thefourth module. Therefore, the fourth module is able to receive the seedvalue, without needing a clock synchronized with the first module.

The third and fourth modules may be communicatively connected, and maybe arranged to cooperate whereby to generate and have the seed valueconcurrently available. The first and second modules may becommunicatively connected, and the second module may be arranged toprovide the seed value received from the third module to the firstmodule. In this alternative embodiment, the third and fourth modules areconnected, and between them generate the seed value. Therefore the seedvalue is available to the fourth module. The third module provides theseed value to the first module via the second module.

The third and fourth modules may be communicatively connected, and thefourth module may be arranged to provide data indicative of the passcodereceived via user input to the third module. The third module may bearranged to transfer data indicative of the passcode to the secondmodule. The first and second modules may be communicatively connected.The apparatus may be arranged to determine whether the generatedpasscode made available to the user by the first module was received viauser input at the fourth module. In this embodiment, the limited usepasscode is returned and validated against the originally generatedpasscode using the proximity detecting modules. This therefore allowsenabling of access using the two factors mentioned above, but with thebenefit of a simple system, where clocks and seed values are notrequired.

The second and third modules may share a secret which has been uniquelyassigned thereto for use in determining whether the third module is inproximity to the second module. The first and fourth modules may alsoshare a secret which has been uniquely assigned thereto for use ingenerating and validating the passcode. Alternatively, the first,second, third and fourth modules may all share a secret which has beenuniquely assigned thereto for use in determining whether the thirdmodule is in proximity to the second module and for generating andvalidating the passcode.

The various modules may be uniquely assigned a secret. Different secretsmay be separately assigned to the two pairs of modules, i.e. the secondand third modules, and the first and fourth modules; however in somecases, the same secret may be assigned to all four modules. Here,uniquely assigning a secret means that the secret is not available toany external system, for example on a remote server. By contrast, thesecret may be assigned to, or built into, the modules duringmanufacture. This increases the security of the system, since noexternal system can be compromised to access the secret. Moreover, ifthe modules themselves are compromised, then only the secret or secretsassigned thereto are compromised and other, similar, modules associatedwith a different apparatus are not affected.

The third module may be arranged to generate a secure signal and tocause the secure signal to be wirelessly transmitted. The second modulemay be arranged to receive and validate a said secure signal whereby todetect whether the third module is in proximity to the second module.The second and third modules may be arranged to cooperate with wirelesscommunications equipment whereby to cause the signal to be transmittedand to receive a said signal. The shared secret may be used forgenerating and validating the secure signal.

The first module may be arranged to be connected to a user interface,and to cause the passcode to be made available to a user via the userinterface. The fourth module may be arranged to be connected to afurther user interface, and to receive a passcode provided by a user tothe further user interface. The first module may be arranged to limitthe provision of the passcode to the user interface. The first modulemay be connected to other modules, for example to receive a seed valueas described above. However, by limiting the provision of the passcodeto the user interface, the apparatus can ensure that any attack on thesystem will not gain access to a generated passcode. In other words, thefirst module will only make the passcode available through the userinterface. One method of doing this is to ensure that the first modulecomprises a secure element, and that the secure element has only asingle output, that arranged to drive the user interface.

The first and fourth modules may be communicatively unconnected. Bybeing communicatively unconnected, the passcode can only be transferredbetween the first and fourth modules via a user, thus ensuring a localuser is present.

The apparatus may comprise: a first element comprising the second andfourth modules; a second element, communicatively unconnected to thefirst element, comprising the first module; and a third element,physically separate from the first element, comprising the third module.The first element may be arranged to enable access to the secure data.The second and third elements may be physically connected.

The apparatus may comprise: a first element comprising the fourthmodule; a second element, communicatively unconnected to the firstelement, comprising the first and second modules; and a third element,physically separate from the second element, comprising the thirdmodule. The first element may be arranged to enable access to the securedata. The first module may be arranged to generate the passcode independence on the second module detecting that the third module is inproximity to the second module.

The apparatus may comprise: a first element comprising the second andfourth modules; and a second element, physically separate from the firstelement, comprising the first and third modules. The first and thirdmodules may be arranged within the second element such that the thirdmodule is prevented from receiving a generated passcode from the firstmodule.

The apparatus may comprise: a first element comprising the third andfourth modules; and a second element, physically separate from the firstelement, comprising the first and second modules. The first and secondmodules may be arranged within the second element such that the secondmodule is prevented from receiving a generated passcode from the firstmodule.

The apparatus may comprise a memory arranged to store the secure data.Alternatively, at least a part of the apparatus may be arranged to beconnected to a memory arranged to store the secure data. The secure datamay comprise credentials for enabling access to a system remote from theapparatus. The secure data may comprise one or more of: at least onecryptographic key or shared secret; a public key certificate; at leastone username; and at least one passcode.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is providedapparatus for enabling access to secure data, the apparatus comprising:at least one module arranged to provide a first security function basedon a limited use passcode which is made available to a user of theapparatus, at least one further module arranged to provide a secondsecurity function based on proximity sensing; and wherein the apparatusis arranged to enable access to secure data in dependence on both thefirst and second security functions.

The at least one module may comprise a first module arranged to generatea limited use passcode and make the passcode available to a user of theapparatus. The at least one module may comprise a fourth module arrangedto receive a passcode via user input from the user of the apparatus, andvalidate the passcode whereby to provide the first security function.

The at least one further module may comprise a second module arranged todetect a third module being in proximity to the second module. The atleast one further module may comprise the said third module.

The second module may be configured to receive a seed value from thethird module, the seed value having been used to generate the limiteduse passcode. The second module may be configured to receive a seedvalue from the third module, and to provide the seed value to the atleast one module for use in generating the limited use passcode.

At least two of the modules share a secret which is uniquely assignedthereto for use in providing the security functions.

According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided apparatusfor enabling access to secure data, the apparatus comprising: a firstmodule; and a second module, wherein the first and second modules arearranged to communicate whereby to enable detection of the second modulebeing in proximity to the first module, and the first and second modulesshare a secret which has been uniquely assigned thereto duringmanufacture of the modules for use in determining whether the secondmodule is in proximity to the first module.

The two modules may be uniquely assigned a secret during manufacture.Here, uniquely assigning a secret means that the secret is not availableto any external system, for example on a remote server. By contrast, thesecret is assigned to, or built into, the modules during manufacture.This increases the security of the system, since no external system canbe compromised to access the secret. Moreover, if the modules themselvesare compromised, then only the secret or secrets assigned thereto arecompromised and other, similar, modules associated with a differentapparatus are not affected. It will be appreciated that the first andsecond modules described here correspond to the second and third modulesdescribed throughout the remainder of this document.

According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a methodfor enabling access to secure data, the method comprising: generating alimited use passcode and making the passcode available to a user;communicating between a second module and a third module whereby toenable detection of the third module being in proximity to the secondmodule; receiving a passcode via user input; and enabling access tosecure data in dependence on receiving a valid passcode and the thirdmodule being in proximity to the second module.

A first module may generate the limited use passcode, and a fourthmodule may receive the passcode. The method may comprise: making a seedvalue concurrently available to the first and fourth modules bytransferring the seed value between the second and third modules; usingthe seed value to generate the limited use passcode; and validating areceived passcode using the seed value.

The first module and the third module may comprise synchronized clocksand the method may comprise determining the seed value using anindication of time from respective clocks. The first and third modulesmay be communicatively connected and the method may comprise cooperatingbetween the first and third modules whereby to generate and have theseed value concurrently available. The second and fourth modules may becommunicatively connected and the method may comprise providing, fromthe second module to the fourth module, the seed value received from thethird module.

The third and fourth modules may be communicatively connected, the firstand second modules may be communicatively connected, and the method maycomprise: cooperating between the third and fourth modules whereby togenerate and have the seed value concurrently available; and, providing,from the second module, the seed value received from the third module tothe first module.

The third and fourth modules may be communicatively connected, the firstand second modules may be communicatively connected, and the method maycomprise: providing, from the fourth module to the third module, dataindicative of the passcode received via user input; transferring, fromthe third module to the second module, data indicative of the receivedpasscode; and determining whether the generated passcode made availableto the user by the first module was received via user input at thefourth module.

The second and third modules may share a secret which has been uniquelyassigned thereto for use in determining whether the third module is inproximity to the second module. The first and fourth modules may share asecret which has been uniquely assigned thereto for use in generatingand validating the passcode. Alternatively, the first, second, third andfourth modules may share a secret which has been uniquely assignedthereto for use in determining whether the third module is in proximityto the second module and for generating and validating the passcode.

The method may comprise: generating a secure signal and causing thesecure signal to be wirelessly transmitted; and receiving and validatinga received secure signal whereby to detect whether the third module isin proximity to the second module. The second and third modules may bearranged to cooperate with wireless communications equipment whereby tocause the signal to be transmitted and to receive a said signal. Themethod may comprise using the shared secret for generating andvalidating the secure signal.

The first module may be arranged to be connected to a user interface,the fourth module may be arranged to be connected to a further userinterface, and the method may comprise: causing the passcode to be madeavailable to a user via the user interface; and receiving a passcodeprovided by a user to the further user interface. The method maycomprise limiting the provision of the passcode to the user interface.The first and fourth modules may be communicatively unconnected.

A first element may comprise the second and fourth modules; a secondelement, communicatively unconnected to the first element, may comprisethe first module; and a third element, physically separate from thefirst element, may comprise the third module. The method may compriseenabling access to the secure data at the first element. The second andthird elements may be physically connected.

A first element may comprise the fourth module; a second element,communicatively unconnected to the first element, may comprise the firstand second modules; and a third element, physically separate from thesecond element, may comprise the third module. The method may compriseenabling access to the secure data at the first element. The method maycomprise generating the passcode in dependence on the detecting that thethird module is in proximity to the second module.

A first element may comprise the second and fourth modules; and a secondelement, physically separate from the first element, may comprise thefirst and third modules. The method may comprise preventing the thirdmodule from receiving a generated passcode from the first module.

A first element may comprise third and fourth modules; and a secondelement, physically separate from the first element, may comprise thefirst and second modules. The method may comprise preventing the secondmodule from receiving a generated passcode from the first module.

The method may comprise storing the secure data. The method may compriseconnecting to a memory arranged to store the secure data. The securedata may comprise credentials for enabling access to a system remotefrom the method. The secure data may comprise one or more of: at leastone cryptographic key or shared secret; a public key certificate; atleast one username; and at least one passcode.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodfor enabling access to secure data, the method comprising: providing afirst security function based on a limited use passcode which is madeavailable to a user, providing a second security function based onproximity sensing; and enabling access to secure data in dependence onboth the first and second security functions.

The method may comprise generating a limited use passcode and making thepasscode available to a user. The method may comprise receiving apasscode via user input, and validating the passcode whereby to providethe first security function. The method may comprise detecting a thirdmodule being in proximity to a second module.

The method may comprise receiving a seed value, the seed value havingbeen used to generate the limited use passcode. The method may comprisereceiving a seed value, and providing the seed value for use ingenerating the limited use passcode. The method may comprise uniquelyassigning a shared secret for use in providing the first and secondsecurity functions.

According to a sixth aspect of the invention, there is provided a methodfor enabling access to secure data, the method comprising: uniquelyassigning a shared secret to a first and second module duringmanufacture of the modules; communicating between the first and secondmodules using the shared secret whereby to enable detection of thesecond module being in proximity to the first module.

According to further aspects of the invention, there is provided acomputer program arranged to perform the methods described above.

Further features and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription of preferred embodiments, given by way of example only,which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Systems, apparatuses and methods will now be described as embodiments,by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures inwhich:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 1 according to anembodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 2 according to afurther embodiment;

FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c show the arrangement of modules and data flows inapparatus 2 according to various embodiments; and

FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 3 according to anotherembodiment.

Some parts, components and/or steps of the embodiments appear in morethan one Figure; for the sake of clarity the same reference numeral willbe used to refer to the same part, component or step in all of theFigures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INVENTIVE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of an apparatus 1 for enabling accessto secure data according to an embodiment. In general terms theapparatus comprises at least one module arranged to provide a firstsecurity function based on a limited use passcode which is madeavailable to a user of the apparatus, and at least one further modulearranged to provide a second security function based on proximitysensing. The apparatus enables access to secure data in dependence onboth the first and second security functions.

In detail, according to this embodiment, the apparatus 1 comprises adevice 40. The device 40 is provided with a first element 10, whichitself comprises a second module 12 and a fourth module 14. The firstelement 10 may further comprise a memory 15, which may store securedata, one or more keys, as well as computer executable instructions. Thesecond and/or fourth modules 12 and 14 may retrieve the computerinstructions and the one or more keys from the memory 15, execute thecomputer instructions and use the one or more keys to enable access tothe secure data. The device 40 may further comprise a user interface 48,wireless communications equipment 47; and further ancillary hardwareand/or software 49 such as the device's main processor and memory.

By way of context, the device 40 may, for example, be a portablecommunications device, such as a mobile telephone, tablet computer orlaptop computer and the first element 10 may be a Subscriber IdentityModule (SIM) within the mobile phone.

The apparatus in this embodiment comprises a second element 20 which maybe communicatively unconnected to the first element 10 (and thus fromthe second and fourth modules 12 and 14). The second element 20comprises a first module 21. The second element 20 may further comprisea memory 25, a clock 26 and a user interface 28. The memory 25, as withmemory 15, may store computer executable instructions and one or morekeys for execution and use respectively by the first module 21. Thefirst module 21 may also receive an indication of time from the clock26.

The apparatus in this embodiment comprises a third element 30, which maybe physically separate from the first element 10 and comprising a thirdmodule 33. The third element may comprise a memory 35, a clock 36 andwireless communications equipment 37. Again, as with memory 15, thememory 35 may store computer executable instructions and one or morekeys to be executed and used respectively by the third module 33.Similarly the third module 33 may receive an indication of time from theclock 36.

The clocks 26 and 36 of the second and third modules may be synchronizedclocks. The output of one of the clocks may be determined using theoutput of the other of the clocks, or the clocks may be synchronizedusing some other mechanism, for example with reference to a third timesource.

To continue the example above, to put the second and third elements 20and 30 into context, the second and third modules may be small,self-contained devices, often termed fobs or dongles. Theseself-contained devices may be adapted to fit on a keychain, for example.

In use, access may be requested, via the device 40, to secure datastored in memory 15. This access may be requested through the ancillaryhardware/software 49—which may be taken to represent, for example, themain processor and operating system of device 40. The access may berequested in response to user interactions with the device 40. A requestfor access to the secure data may trigger the process described below,however any other event may trigger the process.

In this embodiment, in response to a trigger, the second and thirdmodules 12 and 33 communicate to provide a security function based onproximity sensing. In detail, the third module 33 of the third element30 generates a secure signal and cooperates with wireless communicationsequipment 37 to cause the secure signal to be wirelessly transmitted, asshown by arrow 39. The second module 12 cooperates with wirelesscommunications equipment 47 of the device 40 to receive the signal. Thesecond module 12 then validates the received signal as being generatedby the third module 33. The signal may be generated and validated usingthe one or more keys stored in the memories 15 and 35. This transmittingand receiving of the signal performs a proximity sensing function. Thatis, it enables the second module 12 to identify the third module 33, andto detect whether the third module 33 is in proximity to the secondmodule 12. It will be appreciated that proximity as described here isphysical proximity.

While not shown, the communication between the second and third modules12 and 33 may be two way communications. For example, the second module12 may transmit a signal, such as a challenge code, to the third module33 via the mobile communications equipment 47 and 37. The third module33 may then respond to this challenge code, for example by signing thechallenge code using the one or more keys stored in memory 35 and aknown cryptographic function.

In this embodiment, the first and fourth modules 21 and 14 may provide asecurity function based on a limited use passcode which is madeavailable to a user of the apparatus. In detail, the first module 21generates a limited use passcode. This may be done using the one or morekeys stored in memory 25, and a seed value, which may be, for example,an indication of time from the clock 26. The passcode is limited use inthat there is a limit on its validity. For example, the passcode mayonly be used once (after which it becomes invalid). Alternatively oradditionally, the passcode may be valid for a limited duration. Oneexample of a limited use passcode is a “one-time passcode” or OTP. Itwill be appreciated that a passcode is equivalent to a password, andthat passcode or password may be used interchangeably. One advantage ofusing a generated, limited use, passcode is that the opportunities forreplay attacks, where the passcode is stored and then used by anunauthorized party at a later time, are reduced or eliminated. The useof an indication of time from a clock as a seed value ensures that adifferent passcode is generated at different points in time. It will beapparent that a fixed passcode can be stored and later used by anunauthorized party in a replay attack, and therefore the entry of afixed passcode cannot be taken as indicative of a user being present.

The first module is connected to the user interface 28, and causes thepasscode to be made available to a user 90 via the user interface 28, asshown by dashed arrow 91. One method of providing the passcode to theuser 90 is to output the passcode on a display device. As such, the userinterface 28 may comprise a display device. However, this is not theonly method, and audio, tactile (e.g. Braille) or any other form ofoutput may be used to provide the passcode to the user 90.

The user subsequently provides the passcode as user input to the userinterface 48 of the device 40, as represented by dashed arrow 92. Toenable the passcode to be entered, the user interface 48 may comprisebuttons, a keypad or a touchscreen; however any other suitable userinterface may be used, for example a voice entry interface.

The fourth module 14 is connected to the user interface 48 and thereforeis able to receive the passcode provided by the user 90 to the userinterface 48. The fourth module 14, having received the passcode viauser input 92, validates the passcode as being generated by the firstmodule 21. This validation of the passcode may be done using anindication of time as a seed value and the one or more keys from thememory 15.

To use an indication of time as a seed value, the fourth modulepreferably has access to a trusted source of time. Here, a trustedsource of time is one which can be relied upon to be unaltered. By wayof example, time determined by a secure clock, internal to the module,can be trusted, whereas time provided by a user input cannot be trusted.Relying on a source of time which can be altered may enable replayattacks, where the time available to one modules is altered. This maymake the fourth module accept a passcode generated in the past, or makethe first module generate a passcode which will be valid in the future.

The fourth module may not have access to a trusted source of time. Thismay be because, due to manufacturing considerations, the relevant modulecannot be provided with an internal clock. For example, a SubscriberIdentity Module (SIM) of a mobile telephone does not have a trustedinternal clock as it has no continuous source of power (the clock willstop if the SIM is removed, or the telephone switched off).

In this embodiment, a seed value may be determined by the third module33 using an indication of time from clock 36. This seed value may thenbe provided by the third module 33 to the second module 12 in signal39—i.e. as part of the proximity sensing security function. As the clock36 is internal to the third element 30, it may be considered a trustedsource of time. It may be possible to construct the third element 30with a clock as it may not be subject to the same manufacturinglimitations as the first element 10. For example, a self-containedkeychain fob may be used as a third element containing the third module.The keychain fob may be provided with an internal battery, and have aclock which will maintain time wherever the keychain fob is located. Bycontrast, a SIM typically does not contain a battery, and therefore maynot contain a clock which will operate when the SIM is disconnected froma portable device.

The seed value provided by the third module 33 can further be trusted bythe fourth module 14. This is because the seed value is provided in asecure manner from the third module 33 to the second module 12—forexample it may be signed and/or encrypted and decrypted and/or verifiedusing the one or more keys in memories 35 and 15. Moreover, since thesecond and fourth modules 12 and 14 are communicatively connected, theseed value can be securely provided from the second module 12 to thefourth module 14. Thus the fourth module 14 is able to validate thelimited use passcode received as user input 92 without requiringseparate access to a trusted source of time or other source of a seedvalue. In effect, the second and third modules 12 and 33 can be providedwith a secondary use—that of enabling the seed value to be available tothe fourth module 14.

The apparatus may subsequently enable access to the secure data independence on both the fourth module 14 validating a received passcodeand the second module 12 detecting that the third module 33 is inproximity to the second module 12. In this embodiment, this enabling maybe performed by one or both of the second and modules 12 and 14.

It will be apparent that the at least one module arranged to provide afirst security function based on a limited use passcode which is madeavailable to a user of the apparatus, may comprise the first and fourthmodules 21 and 14. The at least one further module arranged to provide asecond security function based on proximity sensing may comprise thesecond and third modules 12 and 31.

Therefore, embodiments are able to enable access to the data tosituations when a local user is present, so as to be able to provide theuser input 92, and when the correct proximity device, i.e. third element30, is in proximity. This has the effect of ensuring that first thedevice 40 has not been compromised and accessed by an unauthorized user(for example a remote user, who has remotely access the device), as thisunauthorized user would not be able to provide the user input 92; andsecond that the device is in proximity to the third element 30 meaningthat the device is in proximity to an authorized user, and therefore isunlikely to have been lost or stolen.

To improve security, the first module 21 may limit the provision of thepasscode to the user interface 28. For example the first module 21 maybe prevented from providing any output, other than the passcode to theuser interface 28. Alternatively the first module 21 may be configuredthat the passcode, as an output, can only be provided to the userinterface 28, and not to any other circuitry which may be connecteddirectly or indirectly to the first module 21. In some embodiments, thefirst and fourth modules 21 and 14 may be communicatively unconnected.

Each of the modules described above had access to one or morecryptographic keys. These keys may be considered to be one or moreshared secrets. In particular embodiments, the shared secrets may beuniquely assigned to a given pair of modules. For example, the secondand third modules may share a secret which has been uniquely assignedthereto; alternatively or additionally, the first and fourth modules mayshare a secret which has been uniquely assigned thereto. In someembodiments, the first, second, third and fourth modules all share asecret which has been uniquely assigned thereto. The shared secret orsecrets may be used to generate and validate the passcode, and togenerate and validate any secure signals sent between wirelesscommunications equipment 37 and 47.

Here, the secret being uniquely assigned may include an arrangement inwhich the secret is not available to any other device or system. Forinstance, the secret may be unavailable on a remote server. Thispresents three advantages, firstly the modules operate as describedabove without needing to contact a remote server or the like. Secondly,there is no remote server which can be compromised to obtain the sharedsecrets (i.e. the keys), thus increasing the security of the apparatus.Thirdly, if a given apparatus is compromised, then other, similar,apparatuses (in a larger system of many apparatuses) remain unaffected,as any keys and secure data are local to, and thus limited to, the givenapparatus. The modules may be provided with the shared secret uponmanufacture, meaning the modules are sold as a set, each module alreadystoring the keys required to communicate with the others modules withinthe set. This means that there is no requirement to initialize theapparatus by installing keys.

While the second and third elements 20 and 30 have been shown asseparate entities, in embodiments these two elements may be physicallyconnected, without being communicatively connected. That is, they formpart of the same device, but are functionally separate. In suchembodiments, the elements may share, for example, a battery or otherpower supply. Alternatively, the second element 20 may be physicallyconnected to the device 40, and may likewise share a power supply withthe device 40.

FIGS. 2, 3 a, 3 b and 3 c show apparatus 2 for enabling access to securedata according to further embodiments. These embodiments share manyfeatures with the embodiment described above in FIG. 1, which will begiven the same reference numerals. Equally, many of the functions ofthese embodiments will be the same as described above, and thereforewill not be described again in detail. The apparatus 2, like theapparatus 1, comprises at least one module arranged to provide a firstsecurity function based on a limited use passcode which is madeavailable to a user of the apparatus, and at least one further modulearranged to provide a second security function based on proximitysensing. The apparatus enables access to secure data in dependence onboth the first and second security functions.

The embodiments which will now be described differ in two aspects fromthe embodiment described in FIG. 1. First, the second and third elements20 and 30 have been combined into a single element 50. Second, while themodules will still be referred to as the first to fourth modules, andwill have the same functionality as described above, the choice of whichmodules are within which element may be different. For example, in oneembodiment below, the third and fourth modules are present within afirst element 60, in contrast to the embodiment above, where the secondand third modules 12 and 14 were present within first element 10. FIG. 2shows a generalized view of the apparatus 2, while FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3Cshow variations according to embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 2, a device 40 comprises a user interface 48, wirelesscommunications equipment 47, and further ancillary hardware and/orsoftware 49 such as the device's main processor and memory. The device40 also comprises a first element 60, which itself comprises two modules61 and 62 and a memory 65, which may store secure data, one or morekeys, as well as computer executable instructions.

The apparatus 2 further comprises a second element 50 which isphysically unconnected to the first element 60. This is effectively acombination of the second and third elements described above in FIG. 1,where similar elements, such as a clock, have been combined. As such,the second element 50 comprises two modules 51 and 52, a memory 55,clock 56, wireless communications equipment 57 and user interface 58.

Where a single element comprises more than one module, it will beapparent that the modules are communicatively connected and will be ableto, at least, communicate to provide information to, or receiveinformation from, the other of the modules within the element.

In use, information is transferred (possibly via the user) between themodules 51 and 52 in the second element 50 and the modules 61 and 62 inthe first element 60. These transfers are represented as arrow 59,representing the wireless, proximity sensing, communications, and arrows91 and 92 representing the provision of a passcode to a user 90, and theuser 90 providing the passcode as user input. The arrows 59, 91 and 92are all double-headed, as the communications may be either or both ways,depending on the embodiment. The detail of the information transfer willbe described below.

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C show variations of the arrangement of modules withinthe elements. A description of how these arrangements enable thesemodules operate to provide a first security function based on a limiteduse passcode which is made available to a user of the apparatus, and asecond security function based on proximity sensing will be providedwith reference to these figures. For clarity, within these figures, thefeatures other than the modules 51, 52, 61 and 62, elements 50 and 60,and memory 65 have been omitted.

FIG. 3A shows a first arrangement of the modules within the first andsecond elements 60 and 50. The first element 60 a, from within device40, is given reference 60 a. The first element comprises second andfourth modules 62 a and 61 a, and memory 65 a. The second element isgiven reference 50 a, and comprises first and third modules 51 a and 52a.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 3A illustrates an embodiment in which thefirst and third modules 51 a and 52 a, located within the second element50 a, provide both a passcode and a seed to the first element 50 a. Thisembodiment is, in effect, an adaptation of the embodiment of FIG. 1,where the first and third modules 51 a and 52 a are located within thesame element. However, in this embodiment, the first and third modules51 a and 52 a are communicatively connected.

In use, in step S1 a, the first and third modules 51 a and 52 acooperate to generate and have a seed value concurrently available. Theseed value may take many forms, for example being the value of a counter(incrementing, for example, every time a passcode is generated), anindication of time, or a randomized number. The cooperation between thefirst and third modules 51 a and 52 a may be done in a number of ways,for example: the first module 51 a may generate the seed value, andprovide the seed value to the third module 52 a; the third module 52 amay generate the seed value, and provide the seed value to the firstmodule 51 a; a further module, not shown, may generate the seed valueand provide the seed value to both the first and third modules 51 a and52 a; and/or both of the first and third modules 51 a and 52 a mayreceive an indication of time from clock 56 (shown in FIG. 2, omittedfrom FIG. 3a ), and may use this indication of time directly as the seedvalue, or calculate the seed value from the indication of time (in thislast example the two modules may comprise, or be connected to, a singleclock, or different synchronized clocks).

Following step S1 a, the third module 52 a provides the seed value tothe second module 62 a as illustrated by step S2 a. This step alsoprovides the proximity sensing function, i.e. sensing that the thirdmodule 52 a (and thus the second element 50 a) is in proximity to thesecond module 62 a (and thus the first element 60 a).

The first module 51 a uses the seed value mentioned in step S la togenerate a limited use passcode which, in step S3 a, is provided to auser, and thus is provided as user input to the fourth module 61 a. Inaddition, the second module 62 a, having received the seed value fromthe third module 52 a in step S2 a, provides the seed value to thefourth module 61 a in step S4 a.

The fourth module 61 a has therefore received the seed value and thereceived passcode. Consequently, the fourth module uses the seed valueto validate the received passcode. If the passcode is validated, andsince the receipt of the seed may be taken as in indication ofproximity, the fourth module 61 a may allow access to the secure data inmemory 65 a as represented by step S5 a. It will be appreciated that thefourth module 61 a may not be solely involved in enabling access to thesecure data, and thus the first element 60 a in general may beconfigured to enable access to the secure data.

An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG. 3B. In this embodiment thefirst element 60 b comprises the fourth and third modules 61 b and 62 band memory 65 b. The second element 50 b comprises the first and secondmodules 51 b and 52 b. As with the embodiment in FIG. 3a , the pairs ofmodules within a given element are communicatively connected.

In a step S1 b, the third and fourth modules 61 b and 62 b cooperatewhereby to generate and have a seed value concurrently available. Thismay be done using any of the methods described above in relation to thefirst and third modules 51 a and 52 a of FIG. 3A.

In step S2 b, the third module 62 b provides the seed value to thesecond module 52 b as part of the proximity sensing function. The secondmodule 52 b then provides the seed value received from the third module62 b to the first module 51 b in step S3 b.

The first module 51 b, having received the seed value in step S3 b,generates a passcode using the seed value. This passcode is thenprovided to the user and, as shown by step S4 b, is provided as userinput from the user to the fourth module 61 b.

The fourth module 61 b, which already has access to the seed value(having generated or received it in step S1 b) is able to validated thereceived passcode, and based on the validation allow access to thesecure data from memory 65 b as shown by step S5 b.

Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 3C. This embodiment contrasts withthe above embodiments in that the first element 60 c comprises the firstand second modules 61 c and 62 c, as well as the memory 65 c.Accordingly, the second element 50 c comprises the fourth and thirdmodules 51 c and 52 c. As the first element 60 c (which stores the datain memory 65 c) is the element which provides the passcode, thisembodiment is suited to situations where the data is stored in anelement which has limited capability for a user interface. For example,a small element, such as one contained in a fob or smartcard may have adisplay (for displaying a passcode to a user) but may not have a keypador the like which would be required to provide a passcode as user input.

In use, a passcode is generated by the first module 61 c. A seed valuemay be used to generate the passcode, however the passcode may simply bea random number or the like.

The passcode is provided to the user, and from the user, as user inputS1 c, to the fourth module 51 c. The fourth module 51 c provides thepasscode to the third module 52 c in step S2 c. The third module thentransmits the passcode to the second module 62 c as part of a proximitysensing process. Finally, the passcode is provided from the secondmodule 62 c to the first module 61 c in step S4 c. This enables thefirst module 61 c to determine whether the generated passcode was thesame as the one returned to it. If the passcode is the same, then thefirst module 61 c may allow access to the data from the memory 65 c, asrepresented by step S5 c. It will be appreciated that the user inputpasscode may not itself be communicated from the fourth module back tothe first module; that is, steps S2 c, S3 c and S4 c may not involvetransfer of the passcode. Instead, a representation of the passcode, forexample an encrypted or hashed version may be transferred.Alternatively, the passcode received by the fourth module may be used toset up a secure session between the second and third modules 62 c and 52c.

An apparatus 3 according to an alternative embodiment will now bedescribed with reference to FIG. 4. This embodiment is similar to thefirst embodiment shown in FIG. 1; however, in this embodiment, while thepasscode is generated by a module within a second element 80 andprovided to a first element 70, the proximity sensing function operatesbetween the second element 80 and a third element 30.

The apparatus 3 comprises a device 40. Device 40, is similar to device40 described above, and comprises a first element 70, a user interface48 and ancillary hardware and/or software 49 such as the device's mainprocessor and memory. The device 40 does not require wirelesscommunications equipment 47, hence this feature is shown with a dottedline.

The first element 70 comprises a fourth module 74 and a memory 75, whichmay store secure data, one or more keys, as well as computer executableinstructions. The fourth module 74 may retrieve the computerinstructions and the one or more keys from the memory 75, execute theinstructions, and use the one or more keys to enable access to thesecure data. The first element 70 may also comprise clock 76.

The apparatus 3 further comprises a second element 80. This secondelement 80 comprises first and second modules 81 and 82, a memory 85,clock 86, wireless communications equipment 87 and user interface 88.The second element is similar to the second element 50 described above.

The apparatus 3 comprises a third element 30, physically separate fromthe second element 80 and comprising a third module 33. The thirdelement may comprise a memory 35, a clock 36 and wireless communicationsequipment 37. The third element 30 described here may be the same as thethird element 30 described above.

In use, the third module 33 of the third element 30 communicates withthe second module 82 of the second element 80 to provide a proximitysensing function. Based on the detection of the third module being inproximity to the second module, the second module causes the firstmodule 81 to generate a limited use passcode—that is the passcode isgenerated in dependence on the third module being in proximity to thesecond module. Both the sensing and the generating of the passcode maybe performed substantially as described above, and will not be describedin detail here. In some embodiments, the clock 86 of the second elementmay be omitted, and a seed value, for example time, may be received fromthe third module 30.

The passcode is then made available to the user 90 via the userinterface 88. The user in turn provides the passcode as user input tothe user interface 48 of the device 40 and thereby to the fourth module74. The fourth module 74 may therefore validate the passcode and allowaccess to the data based on the passcode being valid. To validate thepasscode, the fourth module 74 may use an indication of time from theclock 76. The receipt by the fourth module 74 of a valid the passcodemay be taken as indicative that the proximity sensing security functionhas been satisfied, and therefore a valid passcode completes the twosecurity functions, proximity and passcode.

Additional Details and Modifications

In embodiments, the secure data may comprise credentials for enablingaccess to a system remote from the apparatus 1. Such credentials mayinclude encryption keys, usernames, passwords or passcodes, digitalcertificates and the like.

The first, second, third and fourth modules have been describedseparately. However, it will be apparent that this is for clarity, andwhere a single element (such as second element 50) comprises more thanone module (such as modules 51 and 52) these modules may be provided asa single physical unit. In other words, the description of differentmodules is to be taken as an indication of different functionalcapabilities which may be provided to a given element, and not thatseparate hardware and/or software is required. Furthermore, the memoriesand clocks have been described separately within any givenelement—however these may be incorporated within any or each module asrequired.

Any module, or combination of modules, within an element may be embodiedby a processing system, memory, software and hardware as known in theart to be able to achieve the desired functionality. Equally, themodules and/or the elements may be tamper resistant. That is they may beembodied by or within so called secure elements.

A single module (typically the fourth module) has been described asallowing access. This is not a requirement, and as a result of theoperations described above, any module, whether illustrated or anadditional, unillustrated, module may enable access to the secure data.

In the embodiments described above, the first element, within the device40, lacks a clock. However this is not a requirement, and a suitableclock may be provided within the first element as required.

In some embodiments, a plurality of one or more of the first, second,third and fourth modules may be provided in a given apparatus. Differentmodules may therefore serve to identify different users, or differentaccounts for the same user. For example, in an embodiment similar tothat shown in FIG. 3A, a single first element 60 a may be provided alongwith a plurality of second elements 50 a. The fourth and second modules61 a and 62 a in the first element 60 a may store keys or shared secretscorresponding to all of the plurality of the second elements 50 a—assuch, the keys or shared secrets may still be uniquely provided to theapparatus as a whole. Similar arrangements will be possible for theother embodiments described above.

In some embodiments, various elements may be activated by a physical actby a user. For example, the user may press a button to cause a passcodeto be generated. In some embodiments, the proximity sensingfunctionality may serve to activate a device. For example, theembodiments illustrated by FIGS. 3A and 3B may be triggered by the actof bringing one element into close proximity to the other—sensed by theproximity functionality. During the proximity sensing securityfunctionality, the current seed value may be transferred, and receipt,or transmission of the seed value may cause the first module to generatea passcode.

In the embodiments described above, the first element has been shown asa part of the device 40. However in further embodiments, the device 40may be distributed, that is various elements of the device 40 may beprovided in separate physical units, which are arranged to be connected.For example, the first element and the wireless communications equipmentmay be provided in an add-on case for a mobile telephone. The case canbe connected to the mobile telephone. When connected, the first elementwithin the case is capable of communicating with the mobile telephone,which provides the user interface, and ancillary hardware and software.

The proximity sensing security functionality, and equally the transferof the seed value may be performed by any known wireless system. Forexample Near Field Communications (NFC), Radio Frequency ID (RFID),Bluetooth™, WiFi™ (802.11) or other short-range wireless communicationssystems. In alternative embodiments, the proximity sensing may beprovided by a non-radio-frequency system; for example, direct couplingvia contacts, inductive or capacitive coupling, audio or ultrasoniccommunication, mechanical coupling, including the use of vibrations suchas Piezo vibrators, and visual or infrared (IR) communications,including the use of barcodes or QR codes displayed on a screen.Alternative method of providing a proximity sensing function, and forthe transfer of data if applicable, will be apparent to the skilledperson.

Likewise the communications between the second and third modules, and inparticular communications arranged to ensure security may be enabledusing known methods, such as the use of two-way communications involvinga challenge code and challenge response, or one way communications usinga rolling code (such as is used for unlocking a vehicle).

The ancillary hardware and/or software 49 of the device may beconsidered to cover features of the device which are not explicitlydescribed above. For example, a typical mobile telephone will have acentral processing system, memory, graphics processing system, variousnetwork interfaces (cellular, WiFi etc.) and the like. Thus the device40, in general, will be recognized as being able to perform in a mannersuch that a user may request access to secure data—for example byselecting an option on a screen, or selecting and activating anapplication. Therefore, a request for secure data may be received fromor via the ancillary hardware and/or software 49.

The seed values described above may be randomly generated numbers, or anindication of time. Where time is used, it will be apparent that thisdoes not need to be a human recognizable time. As such, the synchronizedclocks described above may simply be counters, started at the same timeand with the same value, and configured to increment at a fixedinterval.

The limited use passcode has been described as having a limited validityperiod. The nature of the limited use passcode may be selected based onthe security level desired. For example, the first module and clock maybe arranged such that the passcode changes after a predetermined period.To enable this, the seed value may be a counter, providing an indicationof time, which increments every minute. It will be appreciated that anindication of time does not need to correspond to a human readable time,such as universal time, and that the indication of time may simply be acounter value, incrementing every period—in such cases, the clocks maybe synchronized by setting the counters to the same value at aparticular time. The period, after which the passcode changes, may befor example 1 minute, however, other periods, from seconds to hours areenvisaged for the period.

To ensure that, for example, drift in synchronized clocks or variationsin internal counters do not render the system inoperative, the fourthmodule may accept a range of passcodes. For example, where the seedvalue is time, the fourth module may accept any of three passcodescorresponding to the current, previous and next time periods (i.e. T,T+1 and T−1 where T is an indication of time which increments by 1 eachperiod). This may mean that, in the example above, the passcode willhave a validity between 2 and 3 minutes, depending on when in a givenperiod it is provided to and by the user.

Alternatively, the seed value may be derived from a counter, whichincrements each time a password is generated (for example in a rollingcode system). In such a system, the fourth module may accept passcodescorresponding to the next N values of the counter, where N may be apredetermined value ranging from 2 to many thousand. It will beappreciated that the selection of what range of passcodes to accept maybe selected based on the balance between user convenience and security,since an attacker may generate passcodes in advance in an attempt atcircumventing the system, and having a large value for N provides anattacker with greater opportunities for attack. The counters may besynchronized when a valid password is received, such that the countervalue in the fourth module corresponds to the counter value used togenerate the passcode in the first module.

While the above has been described in terms of a series of modules,performing certain steps, it will be appreciated that embodiments may bepracticed by any suitably configured apparatus of system. In particular,in some embodiments there may be provided apparatus comprising at leastone processor and at least one memory including computer programinstructions, where the at least one memory and the computer programinstructions are configured to, with the at least one processor, causethe apparatus at least to perform one or more of steps described above.In other embodiments, there may be provided a computer program productcomprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium havingcomputer readable instructions stored thereon, the computer readableinstructions being executable by a computerized device to cause thecomputerized device to perform one or more of the steps above.

It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any oneembodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other featuresdescribed, and may also be used in combination with one or more featuresof any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of theembodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not describedabove may also be employed without departing from the scope of theinvention, which is defined in the accompanying claims. The features ofthe claims may be combined in combinations other than those specified inthe claims.

1. An apparatus for enabling access to secure data, the apparatuscomprising: a first module arranged to generate a limited use passcodeand make the passcode available to a user; a second module and a thirdmodule arranged to communicate whereby to enable detection of the thirdmodule being in proximity to the second module; and a fourth modulearranged to receive a passcode via user input; wherein the apparatus isarranged to enable access to secure data in dependence on the fourthmodule receiving a valid passcode generated by the first module and thethird module being in proximity to the second module.
 2. (canceled) 3.(canceled)
 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the third module isarranged to generate a secure signal and to cause the secure signal tobe wirelessly transmitted, and the second module is arranged to receiveand validate a said secure signal whereby to detect whether the thirdmodule is in proximity to the second module.
 5. The apparatus of claim4, wherein the second and third modules are arranged to cooperate withwireless communications equipment whereby to cause the signal to betransmitted and to receive a said signal.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein the first and fourth modules are communicatively unconnected. 7.The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: a first element comprising thesecond and fourth modules; a second element, communicatively unconnectedto the first element, comprising the first module; and a third element,physically separate from the first element, comprising the third module.8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the second and third elements arephysically connected.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1, comprising: a firstelement comprising the fourth module; a second element, communicativelyunconnected to the first element, comprising the first and secondmodules; and a third element, physically separate from the secondelement, comprising the third module.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1,comprising: a first element comprising the second and fourth modules;and a second element, physically separate from the first element,comprising the first and third modules.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1,comprising: a first element comprising the third and fourth modules; anda second element, physically separate from the first element, comprisingthe first and second modules.
 12. An apparatus for enabling access tosecure data, the apparatus comprising: at least one module arranged toprovide a first security function based on a limited use passcode whichis made available to a user of the apparatus, at least one furthermodule arranged to provide a second security function based on proximitysensing; and wherein the apparatus is arranged to enable access tosecure data in dependence on both the first and second securityfunctions.
 13. A method for enabling access to secure data, the methodcomprising: generating a limited use passcode and making the passcodeavailable to a user; communicating between a second module and a thirdmodule whereby to enable detection of the third module being inproximity to the second module; receiving a passcode via user input; andenabling access to secure data in dependence on receiving a validpasscode and the third module being in proximity to the second module.14. The method of claim 13, wherein a first module generates the limiteduse passcode, and a fourth module receives the passcode.
 15. (canceled)16. The method of claim 13, wherein the first and fourth modules share asecret which has been uniquely assigned thereto for use in generatingand validating the passcode.
 17. (canceled)
 18. The method of claim 13,comprising: generating a secure signal and causing the secure signal tobe wirelessly transmitted; and receiving and validating a receivedsecure signal whereby to detect whether the third module is in proximityto the second module.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the second andthird modules are arranged to cooperate with wireless communicationsequipment whereby to cause the signal to be transmitted and to receive asaid signal.
 20. The method of claim 13, wherein the secure datacomprises one or more of: at least one cryptographic key or sharedsecret; a public key certificate; at least one username; and at leastone passcode.
 21. The method of claim 1, wherein the passcode is a onetime use passcode.
 22. The method of claim 1, wherein the second andfourth modules are within a device.
 23. The method of claim 22, whereinthe device comprises a user interface.
 24. The method of claim 23,wherein the device further comprises wireless communication equipment.